How to Increase Animal Shelter Donations

Source: Belly Rubs Pet Care

Unfortunately, money is necessary to improve animal shelter conditions – specifically major renovations, including animal shelter design and animal shelter building plans and construction.  The biggest mistake we see when helping communities raise money for a new animal shelter, is the mistake of begging for help:

“The animals need your help – please donate.”

“The animal shelter hasn’t been updated in 40 years – please help.”

“Please donate to your local animal shelter.”

Begging likely won't increase donations

These tactics simply don’t work.

The above messages do little to convince the people in your community to part with their money.  Think of how often people are asked to donate money -  it’s rare to be in public without being asked to donate to an organization.  Even the grocery store checkout line isn’t safe. People have become immune to the traditional plea: “Please support our cause because we need help.” 

In order to give your campaign a chance to be successful, you should answer two questions your potential donors are asking about your shelter:

1)      Why should I donate my hard-earned money to the animal shelter vs. every other organization asking for my money?

2)      How will my money be used – will it really make a difference?

As previously mentioned, it's not only important to have animal shelter plans available, but also to have a compelling story about the current shelter and how a new shelter would improve the community for both animals and people.  Educate your community about the current problems at the shelter.  Inform people about the dire situation, and then back up your claims by compiling specific statistics about your shelter – adoption rates, euthanasia rates, and intake rates. 

Community involvement, specifically donations, will only happen with increased awareness of the dire situation at the animal shelter and there’s a specific plan to improve those dire conditions.